Bullying has grown up. It’s not just about that big
knucklehead beating up a scrawny li’l kid in the back of the playground.
Harassment takes many forms, and cruel words over the Internet or a few mean
comments to a friend can sting just as much as any physical violence. Are you
guilty of that kind of conduct? Don’t be the mean girl another year. Here’s how
to bust bullying behavior for good!

If you don’t have anything nice to say…

We’ve all been there: Your bestie asks if you like her new
shirt, and to be honest, it’s totally not your thing. But before you let her
know what you think of her taste, think about how the poor girl would feel.
Fashion victims have feelings, and your brutal comments will probably ruin her
day. That’s not to say you should lie, but if you tend to go for nasty remarks,
you need to filter what you say. You can be open, honest and a good friend
without being hurtful – just think about the consequences of your actions before
you do the deed.

Be sensitive

Everyone has insecurities. Maybe you can’t stand your hair
or you’re super self-conscious about your ears. You aren’t alone, everyone has
those soft spots. So if you know your girl is embarrassed by her voice, don’t
mock her with a funny impression. It’ll hurt more than anything else you could
say, so joke about something else. Someone’s insecurities shouldn’t be your
punch line.

Bust your own stress

Bullying is often a result of being unable to deal with your
own problems. Grades got ya feelin’ blue? There’s no need to put down every A+
student in your class. Whether you’re fighting with your bestie, struggling
with your sis or fretting over family finances, bullying won’t solve anything.
Instead, direct your energy to fixing the situation. For more ideas on how to
save yourself from stress, click here.

Apologize!

Finally, get a fresh start by making a sincere attempt to
start over. Saying sorry can be hard, and sometimes even awkward, but it’s
worth the chance to start anew. Promise you won’t repeat your bad behavior, and
when school rolls around, stick to your no-bullying resolution. Good luck,
girls!